Las Vegas’ Muhammad makes main draw of Party Rock Open
Las Vegan Asia Muhammad qualified for the main draw of the women’s singles Tuesday at the Party Rock Open at Darling Tennis Center.
Muhammad, playing her third match in three days, defeated fellow American Brianna Morgan 6-1, 7-5 to capture one of the four qualifying spots.
Joining Muhammad in the main draw will be Americans Allie Kiick, Sanaz Marand and Jacqueline Cako.
“I feel great physically,” said Muhammad, who will meet American Taylor Townsend at noon today on the Stadium Court in her first-round match. “I knew I had more experience, and I just wanted to make her play.”
Muhammad and playing partner Allie Will, the tournament’s top-seeded doubles team, play their first match today, facing Kiick and Madison Brengle at about 4 p.m.
Three seeded players made an early exit. No. 3 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni was upset by Chanel Simmonds 6-2, 1-6, 6-1; fifth-seeded Grace Min fell to Alexandra Stevenson 6-1, 7-6 (7); and No. 7 Sesil Karatantcheva lost to Mayo Hibi 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3.
Play begins at noon today with No. 4 seed Maria Sanchez meeting Chieh-Yu Hsu in the featured match. The evening session features Melanie Oudin against Petra Rampre on the Stadium Court at 6 p.m.
